Border Police Squad Leader Indicted for Assaulting Female Officer in Initiation Ritual

The Police Investigations Department has filed charges against a Border Police squad leader in the West Bank for assaulting a female Border Police officer and committing an indecent act against her. The indictment, submitted to the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court by attorney Lidor Malka, alleges that the officer was punched approximately 15 times under the pretext of an "initiation ceremony." The accused then reportedly continued to strike her abdomen and forcefully pulled her hair until she bent to her knees. While holding her face without consent, he pulled her face close to his genital area. The female officer eventually freed herself and stood up. The indictment accuses the squad leader of simple assault and indecent acts.